Activism for access to care: The story of Jack A. Whittaker

Dr Jack Whittaker grew up in Bowling Green, Ohio, in a family atmosphere that was dominated by sports and nurtured by sportsmanship. Planning on dentistry since high school, Jack graduated frcm The Ohio State University dentai schooi and in 1970 opened a general dentistry practice in Bowling Green, where he new practices pediatrie dentistry. From the earliest days of his practice. Jack has treated low-reimbursement Medicaid patients, Eventualiy realizing that most of his colieagues were not doing iikewise, he became concerned that chiidren who needed care were not getting it. As a result, he began a long process to effect change. Within the profession, he campaigned to encourage both generalists and specialists to accept Medicaid patients. Simultaneously, he forged a successful relationship with an influentiai eiected official in state government that brought about a significant increase in the rate of Medicaid reimbursement to dentists. Apart from his practice. Jack has expressed his concern for children through coaching and off-the-field ieadershiip in basebail, footbali, and ice hockey.